Top 10 Tips On How to Be a Good Metalhead

This is the most important of all. If you like a metal band, it doesn't matter which one or what genre - you're a metalhead. (Just make sure the band is actually metal.)

Music defines the origin of a metalhead. One cannot be a metalhead if it didn't start with a metal riff.

There are enough metal genres out there that nearly anyone can enjoy the genre.

Lyrics are just lyrics and shouldn't be taken seriously most of the time.

If you're claiming to be a metalhead because you're into bands like Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, I hate to disappoint you, but they're not metal. They're still pretty good, though.

Most people at my school hate metal, and the few that like it only listen to Slipknot, Bring Me The Horizon, and Linkin Park.

Yeah, I hate it when people say they like metal but only listen to bands like Asking Alexandria and Avenged Sevenfold.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you're a Slipknot fan who wants to listen to Darkthrone, go ahead.

I'm a big Slipknot fan, and I still enjoy a lot of black metal bands like Mayhem, Darkthrone, Bathory, Burzum, Celtic Frost, and Behemoth. I also like some DSBM.

My favorite band and my least favorite band are both metal. Dream Theater (prog metal) is my favorite, and Anal C** (grindcore) is my least favorite. But you can listen to both and still be a metalhead.

I like old and new bands equally, although most of the modern bands I enjoy are obscure. But definitely listen to the old metal bands. They put a lot of effort into their music.

Judas Priest, Slayer, and Overkill are all great old bands. Opeth, Evile, and Children of Bodom are good new bands.

Don't call bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot, or any hair/nu metal/deathcore/metalcore band "poser metal." Also, don't call the people in these bands derogatory names. Don't criticize someone for liking a band you consider "poser metal" (and don't call them names). Don't go on videos of these bands and leave hate comments just to hate.

If you're a metalhead and you do this, you'll come off as an arrogant and stuck-up metal elitist. Don't be one of these people. Metal elitists are part of the reason many people have negative views toward metal fans. Like some of the tips in the top tens suggest, be open-minded towards all music genres and bands, and be respectful of others and their opinions.

It always amazes me how much good music exists. There is an endless realm of music waiting to be discovered and created out there. Whether you've heard of the band before and are giving them a try, or you've never heard of them, there's always a great band you don't know yet.

I never stop, and I always end up loving new bands. Sometimes it's not even new as in they just released a debut album, but new to me. For example, I found out about the band Motörhead, which formed in the late '70s/early '80s, and I loved them. If it's new to you, it doesn't matter if the band is 50 years old or not.

I admit, I used to be a big hypocrite on this site, insulting bands that people liked in posts. I've deleted those comments now, so don't bother looking for them. That being said, if you can offer constructive criticism, then that's fine.

Yeah, this one is extremely important. Everyone has their own taste and opinions, especially in music. You'll never find anyone with whom you agree on every single matter, so learn to accept that.

(And if you do find someone who agrees with you on everything, you're probably not being yourself, but trying to be someone else.)

This is what makes a good metalhead.

Find a hobby. While some bands are amazing, their lyrics can get depressing if that's all you focus on all day.

You'll also have trouble finding friends or a partner if you're only interested in one topic.

I have other hobbies besides listening to metal all day.

Not only that, but I enjoy a lot of different music genres like classical, rap, and electronic. Despite my love for metal, my favorite band is (and will always be) a stoner rock band called Queens of the Stone Age.

You can like ANY type of music. Being a metalhead doesn't mean you have to listen ONLY to metal. It just means metal is one of your FAVORITE genres. Many people seem to forget this.

Rock got me into bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Metallica.

I like several subgenres, actually. My favorite would probably have to be thrash.

Even if you don't like metal at first, give it more chances and explore other bands to help you get into the genre. I'm positive you'll adapt, especially if you're already a big rocker.

Don't act like an elitist metalhead.

Where did it begin? Who were the trailblazers? How has it changed over time?

It's good to go to concerts because then you have a story or two to tell.

I've been to two and plan to go to more.